Is Houston or Palo Alto Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Palo Alto is safer than Houston (Safety Score 16/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 3,245 per 100,000 versus 5,442 for Houston — 40% lower. Houston has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Palo Alto has a 89% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 35.6x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Houston — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Palo Alto — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston, TX
Palo Alto, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Houston | Palo Alto | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 5,441.7 | 3,245.3 | +2,196.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,148.3 | 212.1 | +936.2 |
| Murder Rate | 13.8 | 1.5 | +12.3 |
| Rape Rate | 73.0 | 38.4 | +34.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 274.0 | 53.8 | +220.2 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 787.4 | 118.3 | +669.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,293.5 | 3,033.2 | +1,260.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 644.8 | 225.9 | +418.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,945.7 | 2,623.0 | +322.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 703.0 | 184.4 | +518.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Houston or Palo Alto safer?
Palo Alto is safer with a total crime rate of 3,245 per 100K vs 5,442 for Houston — a 40% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Houston has a violent crime rate of 1,148.3 per 100K while Palo Alto has 212.1. Palo Alto has lower violent crime.
About Houston, TX
Houston, the "Space City," is a sprawling metropolis in Southeast Texas, home to NASA's Johnson Space Center. Its diverse population makes it one of the most multicultural cities in the U.S., with significant Hispanic and Asian communities. With a safety score of 3/100 and a population coverage of 2,319,160, Houston has a total crime rate of 5,441.7 per 100,000 residents.
About Palo Alto, CA
Palo Alto, at the southern end of the San Francisco Bay, is a wealthy Silicon Valley hub home to Stanford University. Its residents are highly educated, with a significant portion holding advanced degrees. With a safety score of 16/100 and a population coverage of 65,079, Palo Alto has a total crime rate of 3,245.3 per 100,000 residents.